BRAD HORN/Nevada Appeal Carson's Kayla Sanchez, left, and Andrea K. , right, compete in the 110 meter high hurdles during the NIAA Nevada State Track and Field Championships at Reno High School on Friday.
The Carson High girls track team has put itself in position to make today intereseting and that's all it could really ask for.
As expected Galena and Carson are 1-2 in the NIAA 4A State Championships after the first day on Friday. Andrea Kierstead, Kayla Sanchez and Alex McAlman all won titles for the Senators as they scored 50 points to stay within striking range of the Grizzlies, which has 54.
"We actually did a very good job in putting ourselves in position," Carson coach Todd Ackerman said. "We didn't do anything to hurt ourselfves amd Galena didn't do anything to hurt themselves. Galena just has a little more than we have."
Sanchez won the 200 meters in a season best 24.62 seconds, Kierstead won the 100 hurdles in 15.15 and McAlman won the discus in a personal best and stadium record 139 feet, 4 inches.
The only minor disappointment for the Senators may have come in the 100 hurdles in which Sanchez had to settle for third in 15.84 after being unintentionally hit by another runner. Carson was hoping to go 1-2 in the 100 hurdles.
"We would have went 1-2," said Ackerman if not for the mishap. "It's not disappointing to go 1-3 at all."
But overall, the Senators exceeded expectations with the performance of Christy Works in the 400 and their 4x200 relay. Works finished higher than her seed by taking third in the 400 in a personal best 15.84.
The 4x200 team of Crista Dixon, Works, Yvette Hollett and Sinead McSweeney also finished higher than its seed by taking fourth in a season best 1:46.56.
"For her to be third for us as a team was outstanding," said Ackerman about Works. "Our girls stepped up."
Kierstead also met expectations by taking sixth in the 200 in 26.32. "We figure we can score 100," Ackerman said. "If we get a 100 I don't know if it will be enough, but we'll make things interesting. Galena can't afford to fall down."
Both Carson and Galena will be involved in four events today. Sanchez and Kierstead will run in the 300 hurdles and 100, McAlman will be in the shot put and Hollett, Gloria Sosa, McSweeney and Works in the 4x400.
Galena will have competitors in the 800, 3,200, triple jump and 4x400. For Carson to have any shot at catching Galena it will likely need Sanchez to win the 100 and 300 hurdles, Kierstead to finish higher than her seeding in those events, McAlman to win the shot put and the 4x400 team to exceed expectations. Carson will also likely need Galena to falter in some events.
For the boys, Eric Walther took fifth in the shot put at 50-0 1/4. For Carson's boys today, Walther will compete in the discus and Jeremy Gray will run in the 200.
For Galena's girls, Lydia and Julia Mailander went 1-2 in the long jump and Lagley Iverson and the Mailanders went 1-2-3 in the high jump. Lydia won the long jump at 17-5 while Julia jumped 16-8 1/4. Iverson won the high jump at 5-6 while the Mailanders both cleared 5-4.
Also for Galena's girls, Alyssa Abbott took second in the 1,600 in 5:14.61. As expected, Reno High's Mel Lawrence dominated the race, winning in 4:52.93.
Galena is trying to sweep the boys and girls titles. Galena's boys were also in first with 39 points while Las Vegas was second with 29. For Galena, Dan Geib won the 3,200 in 9:31.47 and Tobi Haswell won the 300 hurdles in 39.13.
Dayton's boys are in a tight race for the 3A title. Dayton is in fifth with 38 points, but trails first place Pahrump Valley by just 10 points. Tony Yori won the boys 3A title in the 3,200 at 10:21.38 for Fernley.
For the 3A girls, Yerington's Kayla Lommori won the discus at 111-0 while Dayton's Rebecca Monzello took second at 108-2. Smith Valley boys are well on their way to winning the 1A title with 82 points while Spring Mountain is in second with 50.
Easton Harris was a double winner for Smith Valley, winning the 300 hurdles in 40.08. He also led a 1-2-3 sweep in the pole vault. Harris won at 14-7 while Tim Nelson was second and Casey Gleason was third.
Smith Valley's girls are in second, but will be hard pressed to catch Laughlin. Kylee Gleason is well on her way to winning three events as she won the 200 in 26.43 and the 200 in 57.92. Gleason will also be a heavy favorite to win the pole vault.
Arianne Smith took second in the 400 in 1:02.47 and won the 100 hurdles in 16.62.